Swiss pharmaceutical leader Roche is making a historic bet on the U.S. life sciences sector, announcing a $50 billion investment over the next five years to dramatically expand its American manufacturing and research footprint. The move underscores a strategic pivot that could soon see the U.S. become a net exporter of Roche medicines, according to Group CEO Thomas Schinecker.
“This investment lays the foundation for our next era of innovation and growth, benefiting patients in the U.S. and around the world,” Schinecker said in a statement ConnectCRE, April 2025.
Multi-State Expansion Targets Biotech and Diabetes Innovation
The scale of the expansion spans coast to coast and includes:
- Upgrades and expansions in existing manufacturing and distribution hubs in Kentucky, Indiana, New Jersey, Oregon, and California
- A new gene therapy manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania
- A facility for continuous glucose monitoring production in Indiana
- A new R&D center in Massachusetts
- A 900,000-square-foot manufacturing complex for next-generation weight loss treatments, with the location still to be revealed
These initiatives signal Roche’s intensified focus on U.S.-based production of advanced therapies—from chronic disease management to gene-based treatments—and a commitment to scaling its supply chain within one of the world’s most significant pharmaceutical markets.
Export Shift and Economic Impact
Once the facilities are fully operational, Roche expects to export more medicines from the U.S. than it imports, in a reversal of its current balance. The investment also positions Roche as a major contributor to domestic biomanufacturing resilience—particularly in the wake of recent global supply chain disruptions.
This strategic expansion will likely generate thousands of high-skilled jobs across multiple states, while also supporting the Biden administration’s broader goal of boosting domestic pharmaceutical production and reducing reliance on international supply chains.
Context
The announcement comes amid an increasingly competitive global race to localize pharmaceutical innovation and production. U.S. federal and state governments have pushed for greater bioeconomy independence, including funding for advanced manufacturing and R&D.
For Roche, the expansion affirms its long-term commitment to the U.S. market—both as a critical hub for innovation and as a growing export base.
Excerpts: Bubny, Paul. “Roche Plans $50B Expansion of U.S. Manufacturing Footprint.” ConnectCRE, April 2025. ConnectCRE.com
Roche Genentech Inc. Corporate Campus Picture by hathawaydinwiddie
